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General Description

The Manchester Terrier is a sleek, compact dog which is very lively and sharp-witted. These dogs come in two varieties – the Toy and the Standard. The only difference in the two is their size and ear shape, with the Standard being slightly larger.

Black and Tan Terriers, as they are also known, are extremely loyal and form a close bond to their owners. Terrier instincts are strong in this breed which means that they will test you and you will have to be assert yourself to stay in charge. They can make excellent family dogs with proper dog training.

Origin and History

The Manchester Terrier is an old terrier breed, descended from the old black and tan terrier. They were very important dogs for catching rats and vermin as far back as the 16th century. This dog breed seems to have been developed by crossing the old black and tan terrier with a Whippet dog in the 19th century, which proved to be a successful cross.

These dogs were very good at killing rats and vermin. However, they also made excellent pets. In the U.S. the two sizes of this dog were registered as separate breeds until 1959 when they were combined into one breed.

Manchester Terrier Temperament

The Manchester Terrier is a lively, quick-witted, intelligent dog. They can be very challenging dogs to own. They are very loving, loyal and devoted to their owners, however, as a terrier, they are also very assertive dogs.

If you don’t make it clear that you’re in charge, they will naturally take charge. They are born leaders. For this reason they do need basic dog obedience training. They should also be well socialized from a young age so they will be accepting of friendly strangers and other pets.

Since they are terriers and they have an instinct to hunt rats and vermin, they have a tendency to view many other pets as prey. You need to make sure they are introduced to other pets from a young age and taught that they are friends and not something to hunt.

The Manchester can also be somewhat bossy with children so you should teach your children how to be in command of the dog and make sure that your dog respects your children. Supervision is a good idea. With all that said, they can make a very good family dog if you make clear to your dog that you are in charge.

Care, Grooming, Diet & Exercise

Living Environment – This dog breed is good dog for apartment life and for city living. They do need plenty of exercise but these needs can usually be met with daily walks. They do like to be around people so you should not leave them unattended for long periods of time or they can get into trouble. They also do well in rural environments. They typically prefer warmer climates.

Grooming – The grooming requirements for this dog breed are straightforward. They have a short, dense, glossy coat that requires regular brushing. They are average shedders.

Diet & Exercise – Dietary needs are normal. They do require a great deal of daily exercise, especially for their small size. They need daily walks and they appreciate having a yard.

Health – This breed can be prone to glaucoma and to Von Willebrands disease. If you are interested in getting one of these dogs you should talk to a breeder about possible dog health problems in the breed.

Manchester Terrier Trainability

The Manchester Terrier is a very intelligent dog with a strong desire to please their owners. They can be somewhat independent at times but, in general, dog training is relatively easy. Manchester Terriers can do very well in obedience, agility and other dog sports. They respond very well to positive dog training methods (praise, rewards).

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